KOA Achievement Awards
​Celebrating Academic Excellence, Community Service & Kashmiri Heritage
Achievement Award 2026
The KOA Achievement Award recognizes college-bound Kashmiri Pandit students for academic excellence, community service, extracurricular participation, and their commitment to preserving and championing Kashmiri Pandit culture and heritage.
Who Can Apply?
The KOA Achievement Award is for Kashmiri Pandit college-bound students living in the USA. Parents must be active KOA members with membership dues paid in 2025.
Applications are evaluated on a 25-point scale:
• Academics — 5 points
• Community Service — 5 points
• Extracurricular Participation — 5 points
• Essay on Kashmiri Pandit Culture & Heritage — 10 points
How to Apply
​
Submit the application form and email your complete application packet as PDFs to achievement-award@koausa.org.
Application Form: https://forms.gle/SFA4SW3kk3QAWscaA
Email Subject: Achievement Award 2026 - Submission
Application Deadline: 11:55 PM PST — June 5, 2026
Application Packet
• CV with photo
• Proof of college/university admission
• SAT/ACT scores
• Academic transcript
• Two-page essay on Kashmiri Pandit culture and heritage
• Extracurricular certificates, awards, or artwork
2026 Award Prizes
First Prize — $1,500
Second Prize — $1,000
Third Prize — $800
Consolation Prize — $700
Selection Team
​Sushma Kaul Bhan — Team Lead
Sriganesh Karur
Genny Winter
Previous Winners
2025
Riya Raina • Shuja Raina • Krish Raina
2024
Shayan Pandit • Sanjna Pandit • Anjika Ganjoo
Consolation: Shikhar Kaul • Nayan Kaul
2022
Anmol Sapru • Anika Tiku • Aahana Tikku • Nysa Dharan • Shivam Kak
2021
Suraj Pandit • Tara Kaul • Siya Pandit • Param Misri • Sidd Wali • Ayushi Sapru
Winner Essays
Winner essays will be added here for each award year.